Current Events Program Goals and Objectives
Grade Level 6

About the Current Events Program
The Current Events Program teaches students about the dangers of the loss of biodiversity to human health and gives them a chance to learn about population growth, climate change, air and water quality, waste disposal and energy consumption in fun and engaging ways. We want students to understand that everything they throw away goes somewhere and that every action they take affects something else. We want them to know what they can do to conserve our environment, and in doing so, our way of life. But most importantly, after learning about the threats to our global environment, we want students to feel empowered, not afraid. Because of the complex and scientific nature of this program, we are offering these classes only to groups of students 6th grade and older.

Main Curriculum Area: Science
Grade Level: 6

Primary Goals and Objectives:
These objectives will be covered during all Current Events Program classes. Some objectives are more specific to one habitat than another, so if your schedule does not allow you to take all offered classes, or if there are particular objectives that you want to make sure we cover, please let us know what your specific needs are.

Science Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.

Objectives
1.01 Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.

1.02 Develop appropriate experimental procedures for:

  • Given questions.
  • Student generated questions.

1.03 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:

  • Recognize potential hazards.
  • Manipulate materials and equipment.
  • Conduct appropriate procedures.

1.05 Analyze evidence to:

  • Explain observations.
  • Make inferences and predictions.
  • Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.

1.06 Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present quantitative data resulting from scientific investigations:

  • Measurement.
  • Analysis of data.
  • Graphing.
  • Prediction models.

1.08 Use oral and written language to:

  • Communicate findings.
  • Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.

Science Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.

Objectives
2.01 Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.

  • Artifact or hardware.
  • Methodology or technique.
  • System of production.
  • Social-technical system.

2.02 Use information systems to:

  • Identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution.
  • Locate resources to obtain and test ideas.

2.03 Evaluate technological designs for:

  • Application of scientific principles.
  • Risks and benefits.
  • Constraints of design.
  • Consistent testing protocols.

2.04 Apply tenets of technological design to make informed consumer decisions about:

  • Products.
  • Processes.
  • Systems.

Science Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will build an understanding of the geological cycles, forces, processes, and agents which shape the lithosphere.

Objectives
3.05 Analyze soil properties that can be observed and measured to predict soil quality including:
  • Color.
  • Horizon profile.
  • Infiltration.
  • Soil temperature.
  • Structure.
  • Consistency.
  • Texture.
  • Particle size.
  • pH.
  • Fertility.
  • Soil moisture.

3.06 Evaluate ways in which human activities have affected Earth's pedosphere and the measures taken to control the impact:

  • Vegetative cover.
  • Agriculture.
  • Land use.
  • Nutrient balance.
  • Soil as a vector.

3.08 Conclude that the good health of environments and organisms requires:

  • Monitoring of the pedosphere.
  • Taking steps to maintain soil quality.
  • Stewardship.

Science Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will investigate the cycling of matter.

Objectives
4.03 Examine evidence that green plants make food.
  • Photosynthesis is a process carried on by green plants and other organisms containing chlorophyll.
  • During photosynthesis, light energy is converted into stored energy which the plant, in turn, uses to carry out its life processes.

4.04 Evaluate the significance of photosynthesis to other organisms:

  • The major source of atmospheric oxygen is photosynthesis.
  • Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and oxygen is released during photosynthesis.
  • Green plants are the producers of food that is used directly or indirectly by consumers.

Science Competency
Goal 7		 The learner will conduct investigations and use technologies and information systems to build an understanding of population dynamics.

Objectives
7.02 Investigate factors that determine the growth and survival of organisms including:
  • Light.
  • Temperature range.
  • Mineral availability.
  • Soil/rock type.
  • Water.
  • Energy.

7.03 Explain how changes in habitat may affect organisms.

7.04 Evaluate data related to human population growth, along with problems and solutions:

  • Waste disposal.
  • Food supplies.
  • Resource availability.
  • Transportation.
  • Socio-economic patterns.

7.05 Examine evidence that overpopulation by any species impacts the environment.


Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will acquire strategies to access a variety of sources, and use appropriate research skills to gather, synthesize, and report information using diverse modalities to demonstrate the knowledge acquired.

Objectives
2.04 Utilize community-related resources such as field trips, guest speakers, and interviews.


Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will acquire strategies to analyze, interpret, create, and use resources and materials.

Objectives
3.01 Use map and globe reading skills.

Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will acquire strategies needed for applying decision-making and problem-solving techniques both orally and in writing to historic, contemporary, and controversial world issues.

Objectives
4.01 Use hypothetical reasoning processes.

4.02 Examine, understand, and evaluate conflicting viewpoints.

4.04 Apply conflict resolutions.

4.05 Predict possible outcomes.

4.06 Draw conclusions.

4.08 Develop hypotheses.